Delivery of radiofrequency energy to the gastroesophageal junction (Stretta procedure) for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Background Radiofrequency (RF) energy treatment is increasingly offered before invasive surgical procedures for selected patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).Methods Thirty-two patients undergoing the Stretta procedure were prospectively evaluated with upper endoscopy, manometry, 24-hour pH testing, SF-36 surveys, and GERD-specific questionnaires (GERD HRQL).Results Significant clinical improvement was observed in 91% of patients (29/32). Mean heartburn and GERD HRQL scores decreased (p = 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively), and physical SF-36 increased (p = 0.05). At a minimum follow-up of 12 months, median esophageal acid exposure decreased (p = 0.79) and was normalized in eight patients. Median lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure was unchanged. Esophagitis healed in six of eight patients, but two patients with nonerosive disease developed asymptomatic grade A esophagitis during follow-up. At 12 months, 56% of patients were off proton pump inhibits. Morbidity was minimal.Conclusions RF delivery to LES is safe and significantly improves symptoms and quality of life in selected GERD patients.     

Endoscopic treatment modalities for gastroesophageal reflux disease

A debate has been going for decades between surgeons and gastroenterologists about the treatment of choice for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) has been historically far from the reach of gastroenterologists, who adopted the symptomatic treatment as their approach to reflux disease through reduction of gastric acid. As for surgeons, reaching the LES was only possible by invading the thoracic or abdominal cavity. Although their approach was later refined to become minimally invasive, it was still deemed too invasive by others to allow it to be the gold standard. Simple logic should lead one to think about the natural route as the easiest way to reach the LES. This concept has opened the door for the new era of GERD treatment through endoscopic modality. Seven different techniques are currently being used to treat patients with GERD. We review the mechanism of action, potential side effects, efficacy, durability, and results from the most recent or largest experience of each. This review shows that endoscopic treatment has definitely earned its place as a viable option for GERD treatment in selected patients. With the available data from clinical trials, it is not possible to determine the best modality available, and the endoscopic treatment of choice is to be determined with further studies.     

Use of radiofrequency ablation of the lower esophageal sphincter to treat recurrent gastroesophageal reflux disease

Purpose

Recurrent gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) after gastroesophageal surgery is a troublesome problem. Reoperative surgery often is complicated by adhesions and recurrence. Radiofrequency ablation or energy delivery (RF or the Stretta procedure) is a new method for treating GERD. This study is the first report describing the use of the Stretta procedure in pediatric patients.

Methods

Six patients who underwent previous gastroesophageal surgery presented with recurrent GERD. Medical records were reviewed and the severity of reflux graded using a modified scoring system. All underwent RF and were graded for GERD at 6 months postprocedure.

Results

Mean operating time was 80 ± 12 minutes. Mean age at initial operation was 12 ± 4 years and for the RF, 18.0 ± 3.4 years. All patients were discharged as outpatients. Early complications occurred in one child with self-resolving acute gastric distension. Five of 6 patients were completely asymptomatic at 3 months after the procedure, and 3 stopped anti secretory agents. One patient was improved but still symptomatic and needed a redo fundoplication. Another required a repeat application of RF 10 months after the initial one. Mean GERD score pre-Stretta was 5.2 ± 1.0, which improved to 1.6 ± 1.9 at 6 months postprocedure (P < .05; paired t test).

Conclusions

Use of RF treatment of the lower esophageal sphincter is a potentially successful modality to treat recurrent GERD in children. Long-term follow-up is required.     

Stretta as the initial antireflux procedure in children

Background

The Stretta procedure is an endoluminal antireflux procedure using radio frequency to induce collagen tissue contraction, remodeling, and modulation of lower esophageal sphincter physiology in an effort to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Although Stretta has been widely reported in the adult GERD literature as a viable initial surgical option, similar use in children has not been reported. The authors present the first report of Stretta as the initial antireflux procedure in children with GERD, evaluating indications, safety, and efficacy.

Method

The charts of 8 children (aged 11-16 years) who received Stretta between January 2003 and September 2003 were retrospectively reviewed under an Institutional Review Board protocol. All patients had documented GERD preoperatively. Three children required concomitant feeding tube placement (percutaneous gastrostomy tube, group A). Five children with isolated severe GERD refractory to aggressive medical therapy received Stretta only (group B).

Results

Stretta was successfully completed in all 8 children. In group A, 1 child developed a postoperative aspiration, which was successfully treated. All 3 children had resolution of their GERD symptoms (ie, feeding intolerance, emesis) and were able to tolerate full enteral nutrition post-Stretta. In group B, 3 of 5 children are currently off medications and asymptomatic on short-term follow-up (6-15 months). Of the remaining 2, 1 experienced symptomatic relief immediately postprocedure, but symptoms recurred off medications. Stretta was deemed unsuccessful in the remaining patient, and Nissen fundoplication was subsequently performed without difficulty.

Conclusions

Stretta can be safely and successfully used as the initial antireflux procedure for children with GERD. Concomitant Stretta with PEG is an attractive option in children with preexisting GERD who require long-term feeding access. Longer follow-up and a larger patient population are needed to better confirm the safety and efficacy of Stretta presented in this report.     

抗胃食管反流外科治疗的远期疗效观察

目的探讨胃食管反流外科治疗的远期疗效。方法1988年11月至2004年1月手术治疗129例胃食管反流病(GERD),分别采用N issen手术(65例)、贲门斜行套叠术(39例)、Belsey4号手术(17例)、Toupet手术(3例)、Thal手术(1例)、Dor手术(4例)等6种方法治疗。116例得到随访,计算临床症状评分,并与术前比较。手术前后分别有95例及51例行食管压力测定检查,56例及35例行24 h食管pH值监测及DeM eester评分;术前常规行内镜检查,术后48例行内镜检查,对结果进行比较。结果在随访的116例患者中,临床症状评分由术前的(4.1±0.4)分降为术后的(1.1±1.0)分,较术前显著降低(t=27.21,P<0.01)。手术疗效优42例(36.2%),良60例(51.7%),可7例(6.0%),差7例(6.0%),手术远期优良率87.9%(102/116)。N issen、Belsey 4号和贲门斜行套叠术三者间疗效无差异。结论外科手术是治疗GERD的有效方法,N issen手术、贲门斜行套叠术和Belsey 4号手术疗效相近。     

射频治疗胃食管反流病70例报告

目的探讨胃食管反流病(GERD)临床表现及内镜下食管微量射频治疗疗效。方法对70例胃食管反流病患者,予24h胃食管pH监测、食管测压、胃镜检查,并在内镜下施行射频治疗。结果19例以反酸、烧心、嗳气、呕吐等消化道症状为主;48例表现为咳嗽、咳痰、喘息等呼吸道症状为主,3例表现为胸骨后或后背部疼痛诊为冠心病;胃镜见贲门口松弛56例(80%),仅20例(28.6%)有反流性食管炎;24h胃食管pH监测63例,见轻度酸反流18例(28.6%),中度18例(28.6%),重度21例(33.3%),无酸反流6例(9.6%);食管测压检查58例,见食管下段括约肌(LES)静息压力低下33例(56.9%),正常25例;所有患者在治疗后立即复查胃镜,65例贲门口包绕内镜紧密,5例较前缩紧。随访60例6~12个月,50例明显缓解,以呼吸道为主要表现者尤为明显,7例有所缓解,2例复发(其中1例已再次治疗,哮喘又立即消失),1例一直认为治疗不满意。结论射频用于GERD患者的治疗常起到立竿见影的缓解作用,方法相对简捷、价廉、安全,对诊断明确的以呼吸道症状为主要表现的GERD患者特别值得提倡。似乎有必要提出由反流所引起的发生在胃食管交接处、咽、口鼻腔和喉气道的一个临床症候群,胃食管-喉气管综合征。     

腹腔镜下或胃镜下胃食管反流手术的疗效观察

目的探讨腹腔镜下或胃镜下胃食管反流(gastroesophageal reflux d isease,GERD)手术的疗效、手术方法及适应证。方法总结2005年8月~2006年1月施行腹腔镜下N issen手术52例和胃镜下胃壁折叠术28例的一般资料、手术结果,以及术后1、3个月的随访资料。结果两组的症状指数及反流时间均明显下降。腹腔镜组灼心感指数和反流指数分别从72.2±7.3和1.80±0.45下降至14.5±4.8和0.26±0.15(P均<0.05);胃镜组该两指数分别从70.6±9.4和1.80±0.32下降至28.2±7.6和0.30±0.12(P均<0.05)。腹腔镜组食管下段反流时间百分比从11.2%±6.2%下降至2.5%±0.4%(P<0.05);胃镜组从10.2%±5.7%下降至7.6%±1.2%(P<0.05)。腹腔镜手术中1例中转开腹手术,近期并发症3例,远期并发症2例,术后完全缓解率93.9%(46/49)。胃镜手术近期并发症3例,无远期并发症,术后完全缓解率58.3%(14/24)。结论腹腔镜下N issen手术是治疗严重GERD的理想术式,胃镜下胃折叠术则适用于治疗病情轻的GERD以减少其对药物的依赖,但疗效尚待进一步提高。     

胃食管反流病的非药物治疗研究进展

胃食管反流病是消化系统常见疾病,其主要治疗方法为质子泵抑制剂等药物治疗。但质子泵抑制剂等药物治疗存在一定局限性,因此随着内镜及腹腔镜技术的发展,部分胃食管反流病患者可以选择接受内镜治疗或外科手术治疗。本文将对内镜下治疗技术(射频治疗、经口内镜下贲门缩窄术、抗反流黏膜切除术、内镜下胃底折叠术)及腹腔镜下胃底折叠术的研究进展进行综述。     

Position paper on laparoscopic antireflux operations in infants and children for gastroesophageal reflux disease

The use of the laparoscopic approach to perform antireflux procedures has increased dramatically since its introduction in 1991. To date, no prospective randomized studies comparing open surgery to the minimal invasive approach in children have been reported. Many retrospective reviews and case series have demonstrated that laparoscopic antireflux procedures are safe and effective once the learning curve is achieved. This position paper is coauthored by the New Technology Committee of the American Pediatric Surgery Association. The goal is to discuss the ongoing controversies and summarize the available evidence to identify the risks and benefits of laparoscopic antireflux procedures.     

Long-term control of gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms after laparoscopic Nissen-Rosetti fundoplication

Laparoscopic fundoplication is the gold standard surgical treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease, although some patients develop recurrence or collateral symptoms related to surgery. The aims of this study were to describe the long-term symptoms control in patients undergoing laparoscopic fundoplication, to analyze the patterns of failure and to correlate postoperative symptoms with anatomic and physiologic findings. Extensive preoperative and postoperative work-up including symptom questionnaire, barium meal, endoscopy, manometry, and 24-hour pH-metry were performed in 130 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic fundoplication. Mean follow-up was 52 months. After laparoscopic fundoplication, 117 patients (90%) were asymptomatic with Visick grade I and II symptoms reported by 124 patients (95%). On evaluation, 119 (92%) patients were satisfied and willing to repeat surgery. Two failure patterns, anatomic abnormalities (wrap migration into the chest or down onto the stomach with or without repair disruption) and functional (incompetence of antireflux mechanism), were reported in 17 patients. Reflux can be controlled in up to 90% of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease with relatively few complications and a high degree of patient satisfaction. The most common cause of recurrent symptoms is an anatomic failure of the fundoplication. This work was supported in part by grant Red de Centros 02/03, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain.     

Treatment of refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease with radiofrequency energy (Stretta) in patients after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Background Morbid obesity is associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which, in most cases, completely resolves after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Patients with persistent or recurrent symptoms have limited surgical options. This study sought to evaluate the application of the Stretta procedure for patients with refractory GERD. Methods The medical records of all patients who underwent Stretta for refractory GERD after RYGB were reviewed. Demographic, preoperative, and postoperative reflux data were collected. Data are presented as mean ± standard error of the mean. The t-test was used for comparison purposes. Results Of 369 patients, 7 received Stretta 27 ± 6 months after RYGB. All were women with a mean age of 49 ± 2 years. All the patients had experienced prebypass GERD symptoms for a duration of 45 ± 8 months. The mean prebypass body mass index was 45 ± 2 kg/m², and this was reduced to 29 ± 2 kg/m² after laparoscopic RYGB (p < 0.001). Before Stretta, all patients underwent a 48-h Bravo pH study, which demonstrated reflux with a mean fraction time of 7% ± 2% for pH lower than 4. After Stretta, five patients had complete resolution of their symptoms, with normalization of pH studies (mean fraction time of 3% ± 0% for pH < 4). The follow-up period after Stretta was 20 ± 2 months. One patient did not have adequate relief of symptoms after Stretta, and one patient was lost to follow-up evaluation. Conclusion Stretta is a valid option in the treatment of persistent GERD for patients who have undergone gastric bypass. Further study is required to evaluate the long-term efficacy of this procedure.     

胃食管反流病发病机制研究进展

胃食管反流病（GERD）是指上消化道内容物反流进入食管引起的疾病,患者可以出现食管内及食管外症状,如胸部烧灼感（烧心）、反流、顽固性的咳嗽等。GERD的发病机制与抗反流屏障功能下降、反流物的攻击作用、幽门螺杆菌（Hp）感染、Cajal间质细胞（ICC）数量减少或功能障碍、内脏敏感性增高等有关。     

Changes in GERD symptom scores correlate with improvement in esophageal acid exposure after the Stretta procedure

Background Endoscopic radiofrequency energy delivery (Stretta) is effective for managing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in selected patients. One criticism, however, is a theory that a mechanism of action is partial desensitization of the esophageal body rather than a reduction in esophageal acid exposure. To resolve this question, this study sought to determine if there is a correlation between the improvement in GERD outcomes and esophageal acid exposure after Stretta.Methods Subgroup analyses were performed between responder and nonresponder groups from the U.S. Stretta open label trial (n = 118), on the basis of posttreatment responses for GERD health-related quality of life (HRQL) heartburn, satisfaction, and proton pump inhibitor use. Outcomes were analyzed within and between subgroups. Pearson correlation coefficient analysis was performed comparing distal esophageal acid exposure with each of the continuous outcomes (GERD-HRQL, heartburn, satisfaction).Results Responder subgroups had significant improvements in esophageal acid exposure, whereas nonresponders had no change or less improvement in the same. Changes in GERD-HRQL and heartburn severity were correlated with changes in acid exposure (r = 0.16, p = 0.12 and r = 0.26, p = 0.01, respectively). Changes in satisfaction were negatively correlated with changes in esophageal acid exposure (r = 0.23, p = 0.02) because satisfaction, as expected, increased as acid exposure decreased.Conclusions Responders had significant improvement in esophageal acid exposure, whereas nonresponders had less or no change. There was a positive correlation between esophageal acid exposure and both GERD-HRQL and heartburn. This evidence suggests that symptomatic improvement after Stretta is attributable to a decrease in esophageal acid exposure and not to desensitization of the esophagus.     

Anterior partial fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease

Background This study examined the effect of anterior partial fundoplication on reflux symptoms and dysphagia in gastroesophageal reflux disease.Patients and methods Perioperative results in 249 patients were evaluated retrospectively for 93 conventional and prospectively for 156 laparoscopic procedures. The patients were followed up by standardized questionnaire. Median clinical follow-up period was 9 months (range 6–44) after laparoscopic and 88 months (range 15–194) following partial open fundoplication.Results The median operating time was 58 and 115 min for laparoscopic and open partial fundoplication. Intraoperative complications were rare (1%) for both approaches. After introduction of the laparoscopic procedure the morbidity rate was reduced (mean 3.2% vs. 1.3%) at a shorter postoperative hospital stay (10 vs. 5 days). No reflux symptoms were found in 71.4% patients after conventional and in 69% after laparoscopic partial fundoplication, dysphagia did not develop in 86% and 85%, respectively, and 66% and 82% received no medications. Among the patients with reflux symptoms 6.5% and 0.9% underwent revision surgery. Satisfaction with the surgical outcome was expressed by 78% and 85% of patients, respectively.Conclusions Anterior partial fundoplication achieves effective medium- and long-term control of reflux symptoms. Technically easy to perform and associated with few complications, the procedure is superior to fundoplication with respect to the development of postoperative dysphagia and therefore represents a viable alternative to fundoplication.     

胃食管反流病的治疗进展

胃食管反流病是由胃内容物反流引起的症状或并发症,是一种常见的消化系统疾病。随着饮食结构的变化,胃食管反流病的发病率近年来呈上升趋势。目前,胃食管反流的治疗手段主要包括心理干预、药物治疗、内镜下治疗和外科手术。新技术的出现,为食管反流病的治疗带来更多的希望。     

磁力环治疗胃食管反流性疾病的实验研究

目的胃食管反流性疾病(GERD)是指胃内容物反流入食管,磁括约肌增强器能够增加食管下括约肌(LES)张力达到抗反流的效果,该研究应用宁波胜杰康生物科技有限公司生产的磁括约肌增强器,验证该手术的安全性和有效性。 方法12例实验动物(猪)通过开腹或腹腔镜的方式放置磁力环于LES处,观察饲养1、3、6个月后实验动物的饮食行为、体重和手术前后LES压力的变化;通过钡剂造影观察进食通畅度、磁力环的扩张、闭合情况。解剖实验动物后,观察植入器械是否出现移位和腐蚀,是否有食管梗阻,以及是否出现植入区域食管组织炎症、糜烂和缺血坏死等。 结果实验动物均能正常进食,3例偶有呕吐,3例进食较快有呕吐,三组实验动物体重均增加;吞钡显示钡剂通过顺畅,无明显近端食管扩张等阻碍吞咽的相关影像表现。LES测压提示术后压力较术前明显增加;大体标本显示磁力环固定于食管下段外膜附近,贴近肌层,形成纤维组织囊;10例标本磁珠附近组织镜下未见炎症细胞浸润,2例标本见少量—中等量中性粒细胞及少量淋巴细胞浸润。 结论磁力环装置可通过开腹或腔镜方便植入,研究表明该装置以及安装技术安全、可靠,可转化到GERD患者中。     

Laparoscopic antireflux surgery with routine Mesh-Hiatoplasty in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease

One of the most frequent complications after laparoscopic antireflux surgery is intrathoracic migration of the wrap ("slipped" Nissen fundoplication). The most common reasons for this are inadequate closure of the crura or disruption of the crural closure. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate surgical outcomes in patients who underwent laparoscopic antireflux surgery with simple nonabsorbable polypropylene sutures for hiatal closure in comparison to patients who underwent routine mesh-hiatoplasty. Between 1993 and 1998, a group of 361 patients underwent primary laparoscopic Nissen or Toupet fundoplication with the use of simple nonabsorbable polypropylene sutures for hiatal closure. Since December 1998, in all patients (n = 170) who underwent laparoscopic antireflux surgery, a 1 × 3 cm polypropylene mesh was placed on the crura behind the esophagus to reinforce them. Functional outcome, symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, and postoperative complications such as recurrent hiatal hernia with or without intrathoracic migration of the wrap have been used for assessment of outcomes. In the initial series of 361 patients, postoperative herniation of the wrap occurred in 22 patients (6.1%). Of these 22 patients, 17 of them (4.7%) had to undergo laparoscopic redo surgery. The remaining five patients were free of symptoms. In comparison to these results, in a second group of 170 patients there was only one (0.6%) who had postoperative herniation of the wrap into the chest. There have been no significant differences in objective data such as DeMeester scores or lower esophageal sphincter pressure between the two groups. Postoperative dysphagia was increased during the early period after surgery in patients undergoing mesh-hiatoplasty but resolved without any further treatment within the first year after laparoscopic antireflux surgery. We concluded that routine hiatoplasty with the use of a polypropylene mesh is effective in preventing postoperative herniation of the wrap and leads to a significantly better surgical outcome than closure of the hiatal crura with simple sutures, without any additional long-term side effects. Presented at the Forty-Second Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, Atlanta, Georgia, May 20–23, 2001 (poster presentation); and the Ninth International Congress of the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery, Maastricht, The Netherlands, June 15, 2001; and published as an abstract in Gastroenterology 120:A 480, 2001.     

胃食管反流病的外科治疗现状和进展

探讨胃食管反流病(gastroesophageal reflux disease,GERD)的各种外科手术方式,为临床医师选用更合适的手术方式提供依据。外科手术是临床上治疗GERD的常用方法。本文通过总结回顾近5年国内外的文献,比较各术式的优缺点,同时结合最新进展,阐明不同情况下手术方法的选择。近年来,传统开腹手术由于伤口大、并发症多、恢复慢等缺点,正逐渐被取代。腹腔镜技术是目前治疗GERD的主流方案,具有创伤小、恢复快、并发症少等优点。与此同时,内镜技术的无创性、可重复性、较强的恢复性使其在GERD的治疗中起到独到的作用。由于国内常规开展的抗反流手术既有优点又有缺点,所以根据病人的具体情况选择针对性的手术方法显得愈发重要。     

胃食管反流胃底折叠术中支气管痉挛的处理

目的 探讨胃食管反流病(GERD)胃底折叠术中支气管痉挛的发生与处理措施.方法 总结GERD胃底折叠术中发生支气管痉挛的34例资料.结果 34例中剖腹手术6例,腹腔镜手术28例.支气管痉挛有8例在气管插管后即刻发生,10例在气管插管后1～10 min手术开始前发生,14例在术中不同时间不明原因发生,1例在术后气管拔管送回监护病房后发生,1例气管插管后的顽固支气管痉挛未行手术.处理措施均为静注糖皮质激素和氨茶碱,吸入七氟醚,呼吸机正压通气.以上措施无效者加用肾上腺素.结论 GERD胃底折叠术患者多有支气管痉挛的呼吸道症状,为麻醉的危险凶素之一,麻醉医师应高度重视,妥善处理.